“The focus is on me” - Mayssa Bastos says she isn’t too fixated on Danielle Kelly’s arsenal ahead of world title challenge
Mayssa Bastos is keeping her priorities to herself ahead of the biggest fight of her career.
The Brazilian star will challenge Danielle Kelly for the ONE atomweight submission grappling world championship in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
Already a winner of nine Brazilian jiu-jitsu world titles, Bastos knows when to focus on her development and when to shift her gaze on her opponent.
Mayssa Bastos told Brazilian sports media outfit Combate:
"I try not to focus so much on her [Danielle Kelly] game. I know what she does, but my focus is improving my jiu-jitsu so that I can show a high level in fights. The focus is on me, to show a better version of myself."
Bastos is one of this generation's best submission grapplers and has nine BJJ world titles across IBJJF, IBJJF no-gi, and Who's Number One.
She made her ONE Championship debut at ONE Fight Night 20 earlier this year and dominated Japanese standout Kanae Yamada for the unanimous decision win.
Bastos' win over Yamada was also the 115th victory of her stellar career.
The 26-year-old from the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy now has a chance at the biggest prize of her career when she challenges Kelly for the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title in Bangkok.
ONE Fight Night 24, just like all of ONE Championship's Amazon cards, is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Mayssa Bastos talks about winning ONE Championship gold against Danielle Kelly
Mayssa Bastos may have held multiple world titles across different organizations, but she knows that ONE Championship's 26-pound strap holds a heavier significance among others.
In an interview with the promotion, Bastos said beating Danielle Kelly for the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title would bring unprecedented notoriety to her and her career.
Bastos said:
"Winning this title would bring recognition to the work I have done. Since ONE is a platform with global reach, it will help a lot. It would be great to show the world what I love to do and inspire people."